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  Alex gazed at her, and his heart wept for her, as he had been through this with his mother, so he knew how difficult it was for her.

  “Believe it or not, I was bigger than I am now when I was with Sam. I did it on purpose piled on the pounds, dressed down, anything to keep him away from me.” She frowned, not sure how much she should tell him. As she glanced up at him, and his deep, green eyes gazed at her, she wanted him to know everything. “Sex was terrible,” she confessed. “He – he,” she stuttered.

  “Jane, it is okay, you do not have to tell me,” he said, and he reached across the table and covered her hand with his. She smiled, and a gentle tear ran down her cheek. “He hurt me, Alex, really hurt me, that’s why I was so scared, when we, well you know.” He smiled at her, as he fought back his emotions; he was trying hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to escape his eyes.

  “To be honest, if he had not have left me when he did, I was planning to run away to Spain and live with my mum. Now the boys have left home, he was unable to use them against me, and they could have come over to stay in the holidays.”

  She looked at his face, and the way he looked at her made butterflies dance in her stomach. “As for a baby,” she continued lightly, before he had a chance to say anything. “Well I am thirty seven, not exactly a spring chicken, so that would depend.”

  “On what?” he asked.

  “On whom I married.”

  “In what way?” he asked, and he released her hand. She pulled it back, and took another sip of her wine.

  “Well, if we could afford it for a start, and I have just got back my freedom, I would not want to have that taken away from me completely. I missed so much, being at home all the time. I could not do that again. So, if we could afford to pay a sitter now and then so we could go out as a couple and enjoy ourselves, then yes I would consider it.”

  “I understand that. So are you seeing anyone at the moment?” he asked, glancing up at her. He hoped that the man he had seen at the museum and at her flat, Josh, was not anyone special in her life. She shook her head.

  “No. It has been difficult, for me to trust anyone.” She took a breath, and looked at him, she trusted him with her heart, the question was, did he want her the way she wanted him?

  “You?” she asked, throwing it back at him. He shook his head.

  “No, like I said, never had the time.”

  “But, that’s going to change, right?” she said, and he chuckled, and finished off his wine.

  “Yes, one day. Thank you,” he said. She smiled at him.

  “For what?” she asked.

  “For trusting me enough to tell me about Sam, I understand it was difficult for you,” he replied. Her eyelashes fluttered at him.

  “I do trust you, Alex,” she replied. Alex swallowed, and he bit on his lower lip as he looked at her. God, he loved her so much that his heart trembled every time he looked at her. He looked at his watch.

  “I suppose we should head back to the office,” he said. She checked the time and it was nearly three.

  “Crikey, I didn’t realise we had been so long. You have a three forty-five with John Edmondson!” she said.

  “Oh, god,” he said, in panic. He had screwed up their last meeting, so he could not risk being late or ill prepared this time. “Can I have the bill please, oh and a receipt,” he asked the waiter as he walked passed.

  “Of course, Sir,” he replied, and he walked over to the till. Alex pulled his bankcard from his wallet and paid for lunch. They grabbed a cab, and headed back to the office.

  Back in the lift, they made their way up to the tenth floor. As they stood, her mind wandered back to the night they had shared together. It had been so wonderful, and although she had asked him to keep it professional, she did not want to anymore.

  “Okay?” he asked, glancing at her.

  “What? Yes,” she said, gripping her Harrods bag tightly in her. The lift dinged and she followed him out and headed back to their office.

  “Do you want a coffee, Alex,” she asked, sticking her head through his open door a while later. He looked up from his desk.

  “Eh?” he said. She smiled, as he was wearing his reading glasses and had obviously been running his hands through his hair, as it was sticking up everywhere.

  “Coffee?” she asked again.

  “Yes, please,” he said, gratefully, and he stuck his nose back into the paperwork. She looked up at the clock. Mr Edmondson was due in five minutes. She made herself, and Alex, a coffee and took his into him.

  “There you go,” she said, placing it in front of him.

  “Jane, I cannot find the contract,” he complained, rifling through the papers on his desk. “He will be here in a minute.”

  “I gave it to you,” she said, as her eyes scanned his desk. She walked around behind him, and leaned over his shoulder. Delving into the pile of paperwork, she pulled out the contract and put it in front of him. She heard him sigh.

  “Thank you,” he said, glancing up at her. “What would I do without you?”

  “Fall apart,” she joked. A smile twitched his lips. “Alex, your hair looks a mess,” she said. His hands flew to his head.

  “Let me,” she said, and lifting her hands to his hair, she swished it back into place.

  “There you go,” she said. He pulled off his glasses and his beautiful green eyes gazed at her.

  “Thank you,” he said. She was getting a real strong urge to kiss him, and she was aware that he was too. There was a knock at the door, and they both jumped.

  “Mr Edmondson,” she said, hurrying away from him, to answer the door. Alex closed his eyes briefly to compose himself and he quickly tided his desk. She showed in Mr Edmondson. She made him a coffee and closed the door on them. She sat at her desk and banged her head on it again; it was becoming a regular occurrence as she tried desperately to knock sense into herself.

  Chapter Twelve

  Saturday

  Alex waved at her across the booking line, excusing herself as she passed people in the queue, she made her way towards him.

  “Sorry, the cab was late,” she apologised as she stood a long side him.

  “That is okay, we have plenty of time,” he said, smiling at her.

  “How long is the flight?” she asked, setting her suitcase and briefcase onto the floor.

  “Only 45 minutes, not too long,” he replied. Jane had her hair tied casually in a ponytail, and his eyes lifted to her shoulders and swept along her collarbone. She wore a long silver chain, which had a silver locket dangling from it resting in between her cleavage. She wore jeans and a thinly strapped t-shirt with a cardigan tied around her waist. She looked so sexy that Alex had to take a deep breath. He was still undecided whether he was going to make a move on her this weekend. Seeing her every day at work, and not being able to hold her and kiss her was starting to drive him insane.

  They checked in and went through to departures and grabbing a couple of coffees, they sat down and waited for their flight.

  Two and a half hours later, they were checking in at the hotel. They rode the lift to the third floor. Jane smiled at him.

  “I think this is going to be a great night,” she said, leaning back on lift wall.

  “Yes, me too,” he said, with a smile back at her. He looked at his watch, and it was three o’clock. “Do you want to grab a bite to eat in a minute, as dinner is not until eight? I am meeting with Jackson at five, but you do not need to be there for that. The main meeting with him and the production team will be tomorrow after breakfast, and I definitely need you for that one. They have a great spa here, why not check it out while I am meeting Jackson, and stick it on the company bill,” he suggested.

  “Yes, I will, thanks, and yes something to eat sounds good too.” They exited the lift and walked along the corridor. Their bedrooms were next door to each other.

  “See you in ten?” he said, and she nodded.

  She took her evening gown out of its cover a
nd hung it on the back of the door. She stared at it, it was striking, and she could not wait to wear it. When she had married Sam, it had been in a registry office, and she was six month pregnant with the boys. She never did get to wear a wedding dress. Noticing a leaflet by the side of the bed for the health spa, she picked it up and read the list of treatments. She picked out a least three she wanted to try, and they had a hairdresser. She picked up the phone and rang the number for the spa.

  “Hello, can I book a massage, facial and nails please for five fifteen today. Yes, please,” she replied when they asked her a question. “Do you have a space for a wash and blow dry as well, for say six thirty? You do, excellent, Jane Archer, room 226. Thank you.” She hung up, as there was a knock on the door.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Yep,” she replied, closing the door. She walked with him back towards the lift. “I’ve book a session at the spa,” she said, glancing at him.

  “Oh good what are you having done?” he asked.

  “A massage, followed by a facial and my nails,” she replied.

  “A massage, mmm nice,” he said, seductively as he placed his hand on the small of her back and ushered her through the open lift door. Goose bumps swept across her at his touch, and as she imagined him giving her a massage, her inner thighs clenched and she had to take a deep breath.

  The lift door pinged open, and they stepped out and headed to the restaurant.

  As they ate, he watched her. Should he ask her now, or wait until after the party tonight, or should he even ask her. He was still having trouble with the, she is your PA, thing. Surely, she would know by now that he was being sincere, that he wanted a proper relationship with her, and he was not just trying to get her into his bed.

  “Jane, I am glad you are here,” he said.

  “Me too, Alex,” she said, “I am quite excited,” she confessed.

  “Good,” he replied, and he put another forkful of food into his mouth. He will wait until tonight; in the restaurant was not the right moment.

  After they had a coffee, they went their separate ways, Alex to meet with Jackson and Jane to the spa.

  She had a wonderful, relaxing massage, followed by a facial and a head, neck and shoulders mud mask. She showered, and after having her nails done, she went into the hairdressers. At seven fifteen, she was back in her room and getting ready for the evening. The Spa had given her a free pack of goodies, which included a shower gel, body crème, and massaging oil. Jane put them on the bedside table and smothered herself in the body crème. She did her make-up, put on a pair of red, silky knickers, black stockings and suspenders, and slipped into her evening dress. As a last minute thought, she had purchased a silver tiara, which she fixed to her hair, along with a pair of silver earings.

  Jane hung her locket, with a picture of her boys inside over the mirror, deciding not to wear a necklace, as she did not want it to distract from the crystals that were over the bodice of the dress. Alex had text her to say he was downstairs as he was having a quick drink with the producer, and for her to meet him in the foyer at eight o’clock.

  Tears welled in his eyes as he saw her walking down the stairs towards him. He did not think that she could possibly look even more beautiful than she already was, but quite clearly, he was wrong. The red, strapless gown hugged her tiny waist, and flared out at the bottom, her hair was loose, and curled in gentle waves that bounced as she walked. In her hair, she wore a small, delicate silver tiara, which shimmered against the darkness of her hair. He began to imagine her as a bride, his bride, and his heart swelled to bursting.

  He could not hold back anymore, he did not care that he was her boss he wanted her so much. She was not only beautiful, fun, sexy and intelligent, but she was his friend too. He took a deep breath to control the urge that was stirring in his pants as he thought back to that first night they met and made love. He was jumping the gun a bit, but he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, even if it meant giving up everything.

  “God, Jane, you look gorgeous,” he said, as he took her hand.

  “Thank you, Alex. I feel gorgeous,” she said, a smile beaming across her face. He looked amazing in his tuxedo, his eyes were shining bright as he looked at her, and it made her heart melt.

  “Thank you again, for the dress,” she offered, as they continued towards the banqueting hall. He did not appear to be listening, as he was staring at her, his bright, green eyes, gazing at her.

  “So princess,” he said. “How is your faery tale so far?” he asked. She stopped and turned to face him, her eyes lifting to his.

  “Wonderful, I hope there is a handsome prince, who will come and rescue me at the end,” she replied, and she breathed heavy, her bust heaving from her dress as she begged him to understand what she meant. She wanted him so badly, and she wanted him to make a move on her, his PA or not she did not care anymore.

  “God, I hope so too,” he replied, giving her a smile. He took up her hand, and they walked across the foyer towards the banqueting hall. As they entered she gasped, it was something out of a storybook. Huge chandeliers hung above the long, oak dining tables, which were elaborately dressed, with fine china, glasses, and vases of flowers.

  “Alex,” she whispered, and he moved his arm around her waist, supporting her.

  “It is amazing,” he said, and she nodded.

  “I could not even imagine having a wedding as splendid as this banquet. I mean, it must have cost them a fortune.”

  “He has done it, as in the book. See over there,” he said, pointing to the white, grand piano.

  “Oh my god, I see what you mean. Even the colours of the drapes are the same,” she laughed

  “There he is,” Alex, said, and lifting a hand he waved at Jackson. Her stomach turned turn over with butterflies, as he approached them. He was a large man, with a full beard, and scruffy hair. He was famous, and four of his books were major box office movies, with the best stars in the roles.

  “Alex,” he cheered as he approached.

  “Jackson, may I introduce my PA, Jane,” Alex said. She lifted her hand to shake his, but instead he took it.

  “Charmed,” he said, kissing it. “Wow, Alex,” he said, giving her a smile and a friendly wink. “How can you stand to work with such a stunning woman? Is the bachelor not tempted?” he jest.

  Alex rolled his eyes at her, and she smiled. He was tempted, very tempted.

  “Yes, well, ever the professional,” Alex replied.

  “And thank the heavens that you are. See this,” he said, waving his arm outwards towards the banquet. “Jane, if it were not for this man I would never have had my books published. Everyone else rejected me, but not Alexander Hartley-Stone. Alex felt the same magic when he read my books, as I did when I wrote them. And now l’m a multi-millionaire, with six books and four movies under my belt!” He laughed, and he slapped Alex on his back. “Bet the other publishing houses are kicking their arses,” he said.

  “Yes, Jackson, I bet they are. Still, you are not only one to make a few quid out of this venture,” he laughed back.

  “Ah, yes your commission,” he said, raising his eyebrow at her. “Well, deserved, every penny. Now come along, people to meet,” he said, ushering them towards the tables. At the far end of the ballroom, gentle music played by a band of musicians. Waiters walked around offering the guests, champagne, to which Jane accepted a glass with a thank you.

  She stopped and grabbed Alex by his arm, and he glanced at her, and smiled at the awe covering her face.

  “Please tell me that is not Chris Hemsworth,” she said.

  “Yes, it sure is, he is in the new movie, do you want to meet him?” he asked. She nodded, and shook her head.

  “No I couldn’t I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.

  “Sure you do, come on,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to them.

  “No, Alex, I can’t,” she trembled, tugging on his hand to let her go.

  “Chris,” he ca
lled. She glanced at him surprised that she had called him by his first name.

  “You know him?” she asked.

  “Sure, we have been friends for years,” he with a smile.

  “Alex, great to see you,” Chris said, and the two men hugged.

  “This is Jane, my PA, the one I told you about,” Alex said, lifting an eyebrow.

  Told him about, Jane looked at him; he had discussed her with Chris Hemsworth?

  “Oh right,” he said, as if he was privy to a secret. “It’s a pleasure to meet you finally,” Chris said, taking her hand and kissing it. Jane was speechless, her voice stuck in her throat she could not reply.

  “Chris,” a man called from behind them. He looked around and lifted a hand.

  “Sorry, Alex, catch up later?” he said, patting him on his arm.

  “Sure,” Alex replied, giving him a grin.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Jane,” he said, giving her wink, and he turned and walked away.

  “You spoke of me to him?” she said, spinning around to Alex.

  “Sure, I have known Chris for years,” he said. “We met at a book launch eight years ago, before he was, well super famous. Sometimes he stays at Brooke Manor, when he is in the UK. It is nice and quiet for him there.”

  “Wow,” she said. “How many more famous people do you have as friends?” she asked.

  “A few,” he said, “come on, time to sit for dinner,” he said, as people began to take their seats. His took her around her waist, escorted her to their table, and pulled out her chair.

  “Thank you,” she said, as she sat. Jackson rose to his feet.

  “Thank you, everyone for coming. I am not going to give a huge speech,” he said, and everyone cheered. Jackson laughed. “Yeah, okay. I want to say is a big thank you to a man, who without him and his belief in my books, we would not all be here today. Alexander Hartley-Stone,” he said, and he lifted his glass towards him. Jane held in a chuckle as she watched Alex turn a deep shade of crimson as everyone in the room raised their glasses towards him. He lifted a hand in thanks, and shook his head at Jackson, who laughed back at him.